Bocanegra targeting trophies

Rangers defender Carlos Bocanegra insists the chance to win trophies was the main reason behind his Ibrox switch.

Last Updated: 13/10/11 9:55am

Carlos Bocanegra: Eager to play in the Champions League with Rangers next season

Rangers defender Carlos Bocanegra insists the chance to win trophies was the main reason behind his Ibrox switch.

The 32-year-old USA international joined the SPL champions in August following spells with French clubs Rennes and St Etienne.

Bocanegra also spent four years in the Premier League with Fulham, but he has never played UEFA Champions League football.

The experienced defender is keen to win the SPL title with Gers enabling him to play in the illustrious competition next term.

"I'm really excited because I never had a chance in my career to be able to win something in Europe," he told Sporting News.

Dream

"Now we have a chance to win the league. If we win the league, then we qualify for the Champions League next year, which I've never played in. Obviously that's a competition you dream about.

"I watch it every Tuesday and Wednesday night. The Heineken signs come out. The music comes on. That would be awesome. For me, that's a dream."

Rangers had already been knocked out of this season's Champions League by the time Bocanegra signed for the club and suffered a further blow when they exited the Europa League after defeat to Maribor, however, Bocanegra insists fans' expectations remains high.

"They don't care who we play; they don't care what the conditions are," he said.

"They want us to win, and they want us to win in style, by a few goals. That's a different pressure, which is new. I have had that before in my career.

"We're expected to win championships. We got knocked out of Europe and it wasn't like, 'Oh, next year.' It was like, 'What the hell's going on here? You need to be in Europe. What's wrong with this team?'"